Media statements

2 April 2009

HIV/AIDS Handbook for Local Government launched at SA AIDS Conference   

Durban, 2 April 2009 - HIV/AIDS has historically been addressed as a health issue, yet it has wide ranging impacts that affect the developmental fabric of society; its socio-economic impacts have long lasting effects on society. Local government as the institution mandated by the South African constitution to drive the state’s local developmental agenda, is strategically positioned at the forefront of fighting the epidemic.

Minister for Provincial and Local Government (the dplg), Sicelo Shiceka, says that “the mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS into local government and governance can significantly enhance the national effort to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on individuals and communities.”

In recognition of the potential of local government playing a significant role in responding to HIV and AIDS, the dplg and its partners, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Medical Research Council (MRC), GTZ and INCA Capacity Building Fund have developed a Handbook for facilitating governance and development responses to HIV & AIDS, which is intended to be an implementation tool for the roll out of the national dplg framework for an integrated response toHIV/AIDS.

“The Handbook aims to provide step-by-step guidance to local government practitioners (in particular HIV and AIDS coordinators and IDP Managers) on how  HIV and AIDS can be integrated into developmental local governance by using existing municipal processes and structures such as Integrated Development Planning (idp),” says Mr. Noel Jelliman, the Director for INCA Capacity Building Fund.

According to SALGA’s NEC Member, Councilor Zanele Hlatshwayo, it is planned that Provincial Service Providers (PSP’s) will shortly be appointed to start the training programme, which includes ongoing mentoring and support, with the selected municipalities in the second half of 2009.

Dr Liz Thomas, principal researcher from the SA Medical Research Council (MRC) added that preparations for the roll-out have begun in three pilot provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces. “Selected districts in each of the three provinces will be targeted for the initial round of training and support. To date, a national set - up workshop has been held, as well as engagements with stakeholders at the provincial and district levels,” she said.

“It is anticipated the roll out will be expanded to the remaining six provinces over the next two years (2010 - 2011). The roll-out will be complemented by the training of DPLG internal staff on HIV and AIDS mainstreaming,” said Ms Hlatshwayo.

Meanwhile a study to compile a baseline of current municipal responses to HIV and AIDS is also under way.